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Balneotherapy for knee osteoarthritis in S. Jorge: a randomized controlled trial

International Journal of Biometeorology volume 64, pages 1027–1038 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is a public health concern with considerable social impacts and related-costs. Among the treatments available, several benefits of bathing in natural mineral water have been proposed: (1) to identify possible health benefits (in terms of effects on dimensions of pain, functionality, emotional and social aspects, and quality of life) of a 3-week balneotherapy intervention in patients with knee osteoarthritis; (2) to assess the clinical relevance of any benefits detected; and (3) to determine if these effects persist. Participants of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) were 120 patients randomly assigned to (1) an experimental group (3 weeks of balneotherapy consisting of daily whirlpool baths, hydrokinesitherapy sessions, and knee shower/massages) or (2) control group in which no form of treatment apart from their usual analgesia medication was given. Treatment benefits were assessed using the following tools: (1) visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain, (2) Timed Up & Go Test (TUG), (3) WOMAC osteoarthritis questionnaire, and (4) SF 36 health survey questionnaire. In the experimental group, these tests were conducted immediately before treatment, immediately after treatment, and at 3 months of follow-up. Patients assigned to the control group were assessed at the study start and 3 months later. Data processing and statistical analysis were performed using the SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) version 22.0. Out of 60 patients in the experimental group, 45 were found to benefit from the treatment intervention in terms of pain relief among other aspects, and also when test scores were compared to those obtained in the control group. Improvements were often clinical relevant and in most patients persisted 3 months after treatment onset.

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Funding

Financial support was received from the clinical services of the Termas de S. Jorge and the Research Group UCM-911757 (Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Medical Hydrology).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS-UP), Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal

    Pedro Cantista

  2. Professional School of Medical Hydrology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    Francisco Maraver

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  1. Pedro Cantista
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Correspondence to Pedro Cantista.

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All participants signed an informed consent form. The study protocol adhered to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, the provisions of the Ethics Councils of Portuguese doctors, and the Regulations of the Committee of Hydrology Technical Evaluation of the General Directorate of Health/Ministry of Health. From the control patients, permission for the use of clinical data was obtained; no consent was required.

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Cantista, P., Maraver, F. Balneotherapy for knee osteoarthritis in S. Jorge: a randomized controlled trial. Int J Biometeorol 64, 1027–1038 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-020-01911-2

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Keywords

  • Balneotherapy
  • Knee osteoarthritis
  • Crenotherapy
  • Medical hydrology